_ 128 _ and I know of no Portuguese reference to it except on two maps of about 1580, where “Y feleg” is indicated on one, and “Ilha daquaite” on the other one of the first references to that wealthy city. There is a legend according to which there was formerly a Portuguese colony in the island. All went well until the moment when the number of rats there began to increase. Not finding sufficient food the rats become famished and fierce and attacked sleeping infants. The Portuguese therefore erected posts with strong ropes tied far above the ground, and on these ropes they hung food and their children’s cradles. There were guards to ensure that the rats did not climb up the guy-ropes and the posts, but this was no use. A guard fell asleep, and the terrible rats went up the ropes, sated themselves and attacked the children. The Portuguese were shocked and abandoned the island. What strange episode does this legend refer to? To a temporary colony which was abandoned for some reason or other, leaving the rats to gnaw at the remains in the ruins? But there are not only legends, but genuine words in daily use which still survive. When peoples of different languages come into contact with each other it is natural that they use words related to an area of cultural development in which one of the peoples
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